Accidental Bodyguard. Sharon Hartley

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       CHAPTER FOUR

      CLAUDIA LEAPED TO her feet and whirled. Her heart pounded. She felt for the weapon at her waist, but hesitated before yanking it out.

      Before her stood an elegant, gorgeous woman of about forty smiling at her with what looked like sympathy. She held a wineglass in her long graceful fingers, one displaying a giant pear-shaped diamond. Luxuriant red hair framed her face, falling to her shoulders.

      “You are weeping,” she said in softly accented words. Not Spanish. Maybe French.

      “I—I—” Breathing hard, Claudia shook her head. She’d been feeling so sorry for herself that this sophisticated woman, obviously one of the wealthy residents out for a late-night walk, had snuck up on her. Her chic white slacks, which fit as if designed for her perfect body, likely cost thousands of dollars. She wore a loose, gauzy blouse, which looked pale yellow in the moonlight, tucked into the waist.

      “I startled you, didn’t I? I am so sorry, cherie.”

      “Yes,” Claudia finally managed to say. “I thought I was alone.”

      “A woman should never come to the beach in the middle of the night to cry alone.”

      Claudia swallowed, knowing she should turn and run, but said, “No?”

      “Never to cry.” The woman held up her glass and took a sip of red wine. “Drink, yes. Of course that is always appropriate and far more effective in drowning one’s sorrows.”

      Claudia felt a laugh threaten to bubble up. Maybe she was close to hysteria.

      “My name is Marsali,” the woman said.

      “I’m—Louise.”

      “Would you like to join me for a glass of wine, Louise?”

      “I really need to get back.”

      Marsali swirled the liquid in her glass. “This particular bottle of Bordeaux cost my husband over ten thousand dollars, and it really is quite good. You must give it a try.”

      “Ten thousand dollars?” Claudia choked out.

      “Yes. But of course it is very old. Like my husband.” Marsali raised her eyebrows. “A woman as young as you, as lovely, who is weeping alone beneath the moon deserves to taste this spectacular grape. Please join me.”

      Claudia hesitated, tempted. Lordy. When would she ever get another opportunity to taste such expensive wine?

      She took a step away. No. What was she doing? This was too dangerous. “I really can’t.”

      “Ah, cherie. Believe me, he is not worth your tears.”

      “You think I’m crying over a man?”

      “Are you not?”

      “Yeah.” Claudia sighed. “I guess I am.”

      Marsali smiled sadly. “I know the symptoms only too well.” She motioned toward a table a few feet away where Claudia spotted a bottle and another graceful wineglass. She was certain the table had been empty when she’d arrived at the beach.

      “Please join me,” Marsali said again.

      Almost convinced she’d already be dead if this woman were working for Carlos, Claudia walked with her new friend toward the table. “Are you expecting someone else?” Claudia asked, nodding at the second glass.

      Marsali dribbled dark liquid into the second glass, ending the pour with a practiced twist. “I always bring two stems when I come to the beach with wine. A woman never knows when she might meet someone interesting.”

      Still suspicious, Claudia reached for her wine, marveling at how light the glass felt in her hands, and knew it had to be real crystal. “To the next man in your life,” Marsali said, touching her crystal against Claudia’s with a musical clink.

      “I’m done with men,” Claudia said, taking a careful sip, not wanting to waste a drop of the wine. She’d do the math later and try to approximate how much each swallow cost. The liquid flowed smoothly across her tongue. Wow. Delicious, but of course she was no expert.

      “Done with men? Have you perhaps become a lesbian?” Marsali wondered in her charming accent.

      Claudia almost choked. “No, no. It’s not that.”

      “Then you must never think of being done with men, cherie, even in the blackest hour of the darkest night. Men make life interesting.” Her eyes swept Claudia’s face approvingly. “You have many males ahead of you to tame.”

      “To tame?”

      Marsali shrugged. “Men are wild animals that must be subdued. Some are slinky, sexy lions, some energetic bears. Unfortunately, some—like my current husband—are more like water buffalo. Definitely a challenge to domesticate. But all types have their uses and advantages.”

      Claudia stared at Marsali and wondered about her age. Maybe she was older than she appeared. No question a stunningly beautiful woman, but on closer look older than forty. And perhaps she’d undergone some top-notch plastic surgery around the eyes.

      “How many husbands have you had?”

      “Lloyd is my fourth legal husband.”

      “Oh,” Claudia murmured, confused by her emphasis on legal.

      “And you, Louise? Are you married?”

      “Divorced.” Claudia grimaced at how bitter she sounded, and took another swallow of the wine, which really was extraordinary.

      “Ah. Divorce is a nasty business,” Marsali said. “Could that be the reason for your tears?”

      Claudia shrugged. “Not really. I was well rid of the bum, but can’t imagine going through that humiliating experience three times.”

      “Agreed,” Marsali said. “Divorce is far too expensive.”

      “But aren’t you—”

      “I’m three times a widow,” Marsali stated with a dramatic sigh. “The tragic result of falling passionately in love with the money of older men.”

      Claudia opened her mouth to offer sympathy, but closed it when the words registered.

      Marsali grinned. “I wish you could see your face, cherie.”

      “Sorry.” Claudia gulped more wine.

      “There have been many generous men in my life. Believe me, I loved every single one, but of course I couldn’t marry them all.” Marsali shook her head, her hair СКАЧАТЬ